Ukraine is a place in Europe where people die for European values: Kuleba on delay in granting candidate status
Photo by Ukrinform
If Ukraine doesn't receive the status of a candidate for EU membership, it will mean deception on the part of the European Union, and Ukraine is not going to swallow it
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba stated this in an interview with the Financial Times, European Pravda reports.
The Foreign Minister commented on the forecast of French President Emmanuel Macron that Ukraine's accession to the EU may take "several years."
"Three months ago, this country did not even have the prospect of membership. They are currently discussing how long it will take," Kuleba said.
According to him, the most important thing for Ukraine now will be to acquire the status of a candidate for EU membership in June. "Then we will sit down with you and resolve the rest of the issues: how, when, and so on," Kuleba added.
As Rubryka reported, Emmanuel Macron and some other leaders suggested forms of associate membership for Ukraine.
Kuleba believes that such a replacement cannot satisfy Kyiv.
"If we don't get candidate status, it means only one thing: that Europe is trying to deceive us. And we are not going to swallow it. Ukraine is the only place in Europe where people are dying for the values on which the EU is based. And I think it is should be respected," said the Foreign Minister of Ukraine.
The French president said that Ukraine "with its struggle and courage, heart, is already a member of our Europe, our family, our union," but said that joining the EU takes time.
As reported by Rubryka, the day before Ukraine completed the second and final part of the questionnaire to obtain the status of a candidate country for membership.
The European Commission plans to express its opinion on Ukraine's responses in June.
